When we traveled to Arkasouri recently, we were able to bring back 2 bushels of wonderful, fresh-picked apples to share around. The went very, very quickly! So when Beth and Eddie and several of their children went up (more recently!) they brought back more fresh-picked apples to share around. They brought back Jonathans and the mysterious Arkansas Blacks. What a good time we have had with apples!The place we buy the apples is in Arkansas, and the same family owns the orchards and picks them as well as running the little roadside store. Both types are delicious, but the Arkansas Blacks will last and last, even in Florida's warmer winter. The orchard owner told me that if you put the Arkansas Blacks in cold storage (I guess it would have to be a refrigerator here in FL), they would last til May!
I am blessed with generous, energetic, and capable granddaughters, who are more than willing to come over and help Grandmother "put up" apples. Here, Gracie and I work on the old-fashioned, yet very efficient manual corer/slicer/peeler. Although I usually don't peel them, this ingenious invention makes quick work of a bushel!
Here, Kitty takes a turn -- umm, at turning!
A nice batch for cooking. I usually like to make lumpy applesauce -- it works well for applesauce, hot or cold, and even for pie or cobbler filling. I freeze most of it.
Sometimes, though, if I have helpers, I like to can some of them. Sarah "manned" the canner here. We are preparing for a time when we might not have electricity to keep the freezers going. (black helicopters, anyone??)
While she was canning, she decided to go ahead and make a couple of wonderful apple pies. This one has a crumb topping that is a delightful treat in itself! Granddaddy was overjoyed!
The reward for a day's labor. What a blessing to look in the pantry and see food for the future! Thank you, Lord, for your delicious and nutritious bounty!
